The club passed a motion to limit voting privileges to just those member who
uniquely support the Labour Party

Oxford University Labour Club (OULC) has passed a motion to limit voting privileges to just those members who uniquely support the Labour Party or its aims, triggering accusations of being 'vaguely cultish'.

The motion, which was passed by a two-thirds majority, caused outcry from some members who regard the move as furthering isolating the club.

The move follows accusations of anti-semitism by some members of the club, which led to the resignation last month of its co-chairman, Alex Chalmers.

Oxford University sign Photo: Alamy

Worries about the tone and direction of Tuesday night's debate were also raised by some members who claimed the 'confrontational air' made for an 'inhospitable' environment for members to express their opposing perspectives.

The motion, which was proposed by Aydin Osborne Dikerdem, resolves that for future general meetings, voting rights will only be held by “OULC members who are also Labour Party members, Co-operative Party members, registered supporters, affiliated supporters, or those who support the aims of the Labour Party and are not members of any other political party,” Cherwell newspaper reported.

The text also said that those who belong to other student political organisations, like Oxford University Conservative Association, won't be able to vote in OULC general meetings moving forward unless they also are members of Labour Party or Co-operative Party.

“OULC is regrettably moving fast towards greater insularity in its quest to rid itself of any stray Tories."

Louis McEvoy

Mr Dikerdem told Cherwell, “I was very happy to see OULC pass by an overwhelming majority a measure that basically upholds the right of Labour supporters, rather than members of other political parties, to determine the future of their club.

"This was simply a matter of clarifying an existing but vague article of the constitution – making clear that it would be fairly absurd for people who openly support other political parties to be allowed to vote on issues relating to the policy of the University Labour Club.”

Despite strong support, some have expressed their discontent over the motion. Louis McEvoy, OULC treasurer, said the decision was “extraordinary” and “unique,” and that it strips “pre-existing, fully paid-up club members of some of the advantages of membership – for instance, debating and voting in general meetings.”

McEvoy told Cherwell that it epitomised a degeneration by OULC into “something ugly, intimidating and vaguely cultish.”

He added: “OULC is regrettably moving fast towards greater insularity in its quest to rid itself of any stray Tories. Indeed, those arguing in favour of the motion repeatedly disparaged a number of OUCA members present, demanding to know why they were there. It was a thoroughly unpleasant atmosphere; whenever the few of us opposing the motion tried to speak up, we were jeered at."